Once upon a time, in a small village, there lived a wise witch known as Elara. Unlike the typical perception of witches, Elara was not evil or eerie. Instead, she was known as the witch who listened. Elara had a unique ability to listen attentively to the thoughts and troubles of others. She possessed a deep understanding of human emotions and seemed to have a magical intuition when it came to helping people find solutions to their problems. The villagers sought Elara's assistance whenever they were in need.
The villagers sought Elara's assistance whenever they were in need. Whether it was a broken heart, a family dispute, or a difficult decision, Elara was always there to lend a listening ear and offer her wise counsel. People would come to her cozy cottage nestled in the woods and pour out their hearts to her.
Q&A with Juliet Mofford on Abigail Accused: A Story of the Salem Witch Hunt
Recently, Juliet Haines Mofford published a historical novel on Abigail (Dane) Faulkner, accused of witchcraft in 1692 in Andover, Massachusetts. I had some questions for the author of The Devil Made Me Do It: Crime and Punishment in Early New England and other non-fiction books.
WitchesMassBay: How did you become interested in the Salem witch trials, and specifically in the witch hunts in Andover, Massachusetts?
Juliet Mofford: I first got hooked on the Salem witch trials when we moved to Andover and I learned that more citizens from here were imprisoned for witchcraft than from any other town in New England. I soon found little in print about Andover’s 1692 experience even though this town had the most persons who confessed to committing the capital crime of witchcraft and the most children arrested.
An assignment to write a local history required research into primary documents at the Andover and North Andover historical societies. In 1992, I presented “The Andover Witch Hunt” at the Tercentenary Conference in Salem. As a lifelong writer and a professional museum educator, I developed and directed such programs as Cry Witch!—The Andovers Remember 1692, a community play I scripted and produced under Massachusetts Cultural Council grants; The Suspicious Season, about the accused women of Reading; and an interactive play entitled The Judgment of Martha Carrier. Later, as Director of Education and Research at Andover Historical Society, I had access to early town, land, and court records. I have lectured and taught classes on the Salem witch trials at Phillips Academy, for Elderhostel, and at Middlesex Community College.
WitchesMassBay: Why did you decide to write a book about Abigail (Dane) Faulkner?
Juliet Mofford: Since every person accused of being a witch in 1692 was different, each witchcraft case is unique. The daughter of Andover’s senior minister Francis Dane who opposed the trials, she was convicted of witchcraft and narrowly escaped the gallows. I wanted to get to know Abigail better so I might understand, for example, why her sister and her own daughters testified against her in court.
I was especially drawn to Abigail because she was a survivor and, obviously, a strong and articulate woman. The petition she wrote Governor William Phips from Salem prison won her early release on bond while another written in 1703 resulted in a Reversal of Attainders that revoked the court ruling and restored legal rights to those convicted.
WitchesMassBay: How does writing historical fiction help tell Abigail Faulkner’s story in ways beyond the basic historical record?
Juliet Mofford: Many myths and misconceptions about Puritans have been perpetuated by Victorian authors like Nathaniel Hawthorne and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and passed down to us. And many historical errors are found among the countless books about Salem witchcraft, including Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible. Historical documents, and court records in particular, demonstrate that Puritans were not “goody-goodys,” all dressed in black who seldom dared laugh.
I wished to present an actual family whose members were impacted by the horrifying events of 1692, and base the book upon the original documents. I wanted to recreate the realities of their daily life and personal experiences such as courtship, marriage, childbirth, the sin of fornication, poverty, and—in Andover’s case—terrifying attacks by Native Americans and their French allies upon this frontier community.
WitchesMassBay: It’s been more than 300 years since the Salem Witch Trials. Why do you think it’s still relevant today?
Juliet Mofford: Abigail’s personal life has contemporary relevance because PTSD or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is in today’s news. This Colonial goodwife sustained her husband through the “fitts” he suffered as a result of sporadic Indian attacks.
Abigail Accused: A Story of the Salem Witch Hunt is the historical revelation of how one particular wife and mother, alongside her minister father, fought bigotry and religious fanaticism and helped bring an end to the deadly witch hunt. Petitions by both father and daughter represent landmark documents of free speech that serve to remind us of the ongoing struggle for human rights. Lessons hopefully learned from the Salem witch trials remain relevant today because, unfortunately, prejudice, intolerance, and xenophobia have raised their ugly heads throughout history and continue to happen.
WitchesMassBay: Why did you decide to write a book about Abigail (Dane) Faulkner?
She would sit patiently, her kind eyes searching their faces for clues to the answers they sought. Elara believed that everyone had the power to find their own solutions, and she was merely there to guide them towards it. Time and time again, she proved her ability to listen and provide comfort in the face of adversity. Her words carried power and wisdom, leaving a lasting impact on the lives of all those who sought her help. One day, a young woman named Amelia came to Elara with a heavy heart. She had just lost her job and felt lost and uncertain about her future. Elara sat with her, carefully listening, nodding her head, and occasionally asking insightful questions. Through their conversation, Elara helped Amelia realize her true passions and encouraged her to pursue a new career path that aligned with her interests. Months later, Amelia returned with a genuine smile on her face. She had followed Elara's advice and found a new job that brought her happiness and fulfillment. Grateful for Elara's wisdom, Amelia thanked the witch for being the listening ear she needed during her darkest time. Elara's reputation as the witch who listened spread throughout the land. People from far and wide would travel to seek her guidance and solace. Elara was always ready to welcome them, never turning anyone away. Her cottage became a sanctuary for those in need, a place where people found solace in knowing that their thoughts and troubles would be heard without judgment. As the years went by, Elara became an integral part of the village's fabric, a symbol of compassion and understanding. She continued to touch the lives of all those who came to her, leaving a profound impact that transcended time. Elara, the witch who listened, showed that the greatest magic of all was not in spells or potions but in the power of empathy and understanding. Her ability to truly hear others had the power to heal hearts, mend relationships, and bring forth a sense of peace and resolution. And so, the legend of Elara, the witch who listened, continued to inspire countless generations, reminding them of the power of a compassionate ear and the magic that lies within genuinely caring for others..
Reviews for "The Witch Who Listens: Transforming Your Life through the Power of Listening"
- Sara - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Witch who listens". The story felt disjointed and the characters were underdeveloped. It started off promising, but quickly lost my interest. The dialogue was also lackluster and the writing seemed rushed. Overall, I found it hard to connect with the story or care about what happened to the characters.
- Mike - 1 star - I couldn't even finish "Witch who listens". The writing was so poor, I couldn't get past the first few chapters. The plot was confusing and the author seemed to have no idea where the story was going. The characters were shallow and uninteresting. I'll definitely be avoiding this author in the future.
- Jessica - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Witch who listens", but I was let down. The pacing was incredibly slow and the plot was predictable. The characters lacked depth and I found it hard to care about their struggles. The world-building was also poorly done, with little explanation or detail. Overall, it felt like a wasted opportunity and I wouldn't recommend it.